Adnan Turan

Adnan Turan is a scholar, educator, and practitioner deeply committed to advancing refugee education through critical inquiry, technological innovation, and transformative practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Evaluation from Arizona State University, where his distinguished academic and extracurricular achievements earned him the Outstanding Graduate of 2025 award.

Adnan’s academic research explores the intersections of refugee education, colonial legacies, and innovative pedagogies, critically examining how current educational practices and policies influence integration, cultural sustainability, and educational equity for displaced populations. He is one of the pioneering scholars to analyze the ongoing influence of colonial structures in refugee education systems and critically assess the roles of NGOs in refugee assimilation processes.

His commitment to social transformation extends into creative endeavors, notably the development of CHALLENGE, a policy simulation game designed to facilitate critical engagement and advocacy around refugee education policies. This interactive game has received significant recognition and funding, and is now evolving into an AI-enhanced platform, aimed at democratizing educational advocacy and fostering deeper, data-driven insights into refugee education policy challenges.

Adnan is actively engaged in pioneering artificial intelligence tools designed specifically to empower educators working in crisis settings. His efforts leverage AI’s potential to disrupt traditional educational paradigms and create adaptive, responsive learning environments that are accessible even in resource-constrained contexts.

His extensive non-formal educational experience is marked by his longstanding collaboration with major international organizations such as UNHCR, UNICEF, Amnesty International, and the Turkish Red Crescent. In these roles, Adnan has developed and implemented human rights training, psychosocial support programs, and culturally responsive educational initiatives, demonstrating a consistent commitment to practical, transformative solutions for marginalized and vulnerable communities.

Adnan is also one of the co-founders of LEARN (Learning and Educating Across Refugee/(Im)migrant Networks), a collaborative initiative aimed at re-examining and reshaping refugee educational ecosystems through partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and grassroots activists. His leadership within this collaborative emphasizes the importance of community-driven, participatory approaches to educational policy and practice.

Throughout his professional and academic journey, Adnan has consistently advocated for equity, inclusivity, and decolonization in education. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing participatory methodologies, trauma-informed approaches, and culturally responsive frameworks. By combining rigorous academic scholarship, innovative technological solutions, and impactful community engagement, Adnan continues to redefine educational possibilities for displaced populations, striving towards more just, inclusive, and empowering educational landscapes.